Manila: Consumer finance and buy-now-pay-later platform Billease has injected PHP500 million into its banking arm, the Rural Bank of Sta. Maria - Ilocos Sur, to upgrade its core systems, enhance capital and governance, and support product innovation. This strategic move aims to facilitate a comprehensive transformation of the bank's infrastructure, enabling scalable and digital-first banking operations.
According to Philippines News Agency, the capital infusion will bolster the bank's capital base and governance framework to comply with the regulatory standards set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Additionally, the funding will accelerate the deployment of next-generation digital banking products. Billease has announced plans to inject an additional PHP500 million by the end of the year, bringing the bank's total capitalization to over PHP1 billion.
Dennis Valdes, President and CEO of the Rural Bank of Sta. Maria (Ilocos Sur), stated, "We are in the midst of a comprehensive upgrade of our core systems as we prepare to launch our banking services. This capital provides the foundation to accelerate the rollout of new products that build on the Billease group's promise of fast, safe, and reliable financial access for millions more Filipinos."
For the fiscal year 2025, Billease reported an impressive revenue growth of over 80 percent, reaching PHP9.3 billion, with a net profit of PHP840 million. The company's consumer loan portfolio expanded by 75 percent to PHP11.9 billion, and it onboarded more than 100,000 new customers monthly. To date, Billease has disbursed a total of PHP130 billion in loans.
Billease CEO Georg Steiger emphasized the company's focus on expanding beyond credit services into broader financial offerings such as savings and deposits. He noted, "We are investing deliberately in governance, systems, and processes because a strong foundation is what allows us to scale responsibly. With the initial PHP500 million complete and the balance committed by year-end, we are fully on track with our roadmap."
